Software Information

Troubleshoot Windows with Task Manager


Task Manager is a Windows system utility that displays thetasks or processes currently running on your computer. Toopen Task Manager, press Ctrl+Alt+Del. The Applcations tablists the applications currently running on your computer.A single application may actually consist of several runningprocesses, and many programs that run in the background arenot listed (you can see icons for some of these programs inthe System Tray).

Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? Version 8.0 Overview for IT Director/Controller


If you have Microsoft Great Plains as main accounting and ERP system you need to know some technical details on Great Plains version upgrade and what is going on behind the scenes, which options do you have in case of Dexterity, VBA, SQL customizations, ctree/Pervasive migration to MS SQL/MSDE.  As of right now it is reasonable to upgrade to Microsoft Great Plains 8.0 Is upgrade required?  Not actually, but you have to consider these factors  ? Technical Support discontinuation - the old version may not be supported - currently if you are on version 6.0 - support is already discontinued.  You can not have Microsoft Business Solutions help you, but obviously you have MBS partners who can still help you.  If you are on Ctree or Pervasive SQL, then your support expires December, 31 2004.  ? Tax Updates/Magnetic media expiration - if you have US Payroll module and depend on it with W2 and other forms - you must stay with the version, which is supported and has tax updates.  If you are on Ctree or Pervasive SQL - then you will not have tax updates for these platforms at the end of 2004 and your W2s maybe inaccurate.  If you have a lot of employees - you may have issues with government.? Following the Technology and Microsoft rules  - Microsoft wants you to be on the newest platform and provides you the best support when you follow this rule? If you do have heavy customization - we recommend you to skip one version, for example if you are on version 7.5 - do not upgrade to 8.0 and wait for the next version What is upgrade in the language of technology?  Upgrade has server and client sides.  ? Server side - upgrade converts tables from old format to the new one.  In general words - Microsoft Business Solutions developers may change table structure, append additional fields to add new functionality, things like that.  Upgrade copies the table with changes to temporary table, then drops original table, recreates it with new structure and copies all the data from temp table to the newly created one.  ? Workstation side - workstation is written in Great Plains Dexterity and has Dynamics.exe - engine and DYNAMICS.DIC - dictionary.  These two plus all the additional files will be replaced with the new ones.  Other dictionaries, such us REPORTS.DIC and FORMS.DIC should be also upgraded and upgrade will try to deal with them automatically.  In some cases modified reports (in REPORTS.DIC) could not be upgraded and need to be recreated in the new version.  What is customization upgrade?  You should consider different types of customizations: Dexterity,  VBA/Modifier, SQL, ReportWriter, Crystal Reports? Dexterity Customization - being very short - Dexterity may have so called Custom Forms - these do not need upgrade - they should work as is.  Then Dexterity may alter existing Great Plains forms (so-called Alternate Great Plains forms) - in this case Dexterity customization should be redone for these forms/screens.  Plus additional consideration should be given to Dexterity triggers, shadow tables, etc.  ? VBA/Modifier customization - Modifier allows you to modify existing Great Plains windows - it creates so called modified Great Plains windows, stored in FORMS.DIC.  Usually modification is placing new buttons or fields, which in turn will be given VBA scripts (stored in DYNAMICS.VBA).  VBA scripts may call something nice, like Crystal Report, or have some data access logic.  Usually the old version of DYNAMICS.VBA workds with the new version.  You may need to rearrange buttons on the modified form.? SQL - you may have some stored procs for data integration, EDI or the like - if the addressed tables will be changed in the new version then you need to analyze your SQL code.  The good news is - Microsoft Business Solution doesn't make a lot of changes since version 7.0, because Microsoft is now trying to merge the products it owns: Great Plains, Solomon, Navision and Axapta - and so has different priorities? ReportWriter - MBS doesn't change tables, but it keeps changing Dexterity formulas used in ReportWriter original reports - this is the problem in so-called Modified Reports upgrade - usually you have these reports modified: SOP Blank Invoice form, SOP Blank Picking ticket, etc.   If report can not be upgraded - it should be redone in the new version with some exceptions.? Crystal Reports - the nice thing about Crystal Report - id doesn't need to be upgraded (if the fields in the tables exist in the new version - which is usually true statement)What is upgrade for third-party modules?  Your Great Plains may have so-called third party modules: Mekorma, Kampdata, Horyzon, Wennsoft, Avalara, Truepay, Trinity, Intellisol to name a fewThird party modules may have their own utility for upgrade.  You just need to know that your third-party is ready for the new Great Plains version - if not - you just wait and stay on the old version. What is migration from Ctree/Pervasive.SQL 2000 to MS SQL/MSDE?  MBS has migration tool.  You need first to install Great Plains on SQL Server with exactly the same account/segments structure and then install migration tool (it is Dexterity chunk) on your ctree/Pervasive workstation - then, when you integrate the chunk - you will map it to target SQL-based Great Plains Company, select all system and company tables, click the button and it will move all your tables one-by-one.  In the case when your Great Plains ctree/Pervasive has third parties - you need to check if the vendor has migration tool - otherwise you have to do manual move, use SQL Linked server to your legacy data Do I need consultant?  It is probably good idea to have consultant to do the upgrade.  We strongly recommend you to use consultant in the following cases? You have Dexterity customization? You are doing migration from Pervasive/Ctree to Microsoft SQL Server/MSDE, especially when you have third-parties without migration tools? You have a lot or ReportWriter Modified Great Plains Reports? You have old version of Great Plains: Dynamics or eEnterprise 6.0 or prior - in this case you can not appeal to Microsoft Technical Support - it is discontinued ? Your Great Plains has more than 20 users and you have to have upgrade done over the weekend - if it fails - you have business problems? You don't have support - in this case you have to select your Microsoft Business Solutions Partner and pay for the annual support/enhancement plan - you will get new registration key and will be ready for the upgrade  Good luck with upgrade and if you have issues or concerns ? we are here to help!  If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Instant Messaging is a Sweet Way to Communicate


MSN messenger is a pretty cool invention. I mean I?m not really into serious discussions on the email, answers to questions can often take a few days to arrive because people are so busy these days. I?ve just been ?hooked up? into Messenger and it?s really a different kind of communication, quick, simplistic and even humorous with the capability to express your feelings with ?emotion? cartoons.   With Messenger you can communicate with a group of close friends or business partners instantly whenever they are at their computer. When a message is received you are informed instantly on your desktop, you don?t have to be at an email site. A little box appears flashing the name of the sender, you read the message and send a reply when you?ve got a second free.   There?s a contact list and when you go on-line, it automatically tells you who of your connections are on and off-line at that moment. If someone goes on-line after you?ve already been at your computer, a small box appears on your screen to tell you who are now also instantly message able. It?s like the spontaneity of a telephone call but you don?t even have to dial any numbers! Just log in your password and you?re connected.   The huge array of smiley faces and other ?emotional? icons add another dimension to the conversations. Some of the smiley faces actually move (sticking their tongues out etc.) and there are many other symbols to express the moment. E.g.: Show a little sun when it?s sunny in your neighborhood, flash a wilted rose when your love life isn?t going to well, put up a black sheep when you?re feeling disconnected from society. How about expressing your dream of a holiday by flashing up the tropical island icon when you?re stuck in dreary office working hard on a cloudy day. They say a picture speaks a thousand words?   Well I certainly don?t work for Microsoft but I guess Bill Gates and his buddies have made a few bucks because they?ve had a couple of good ideas. They?re helping the world with their knowledge, and I reckon their MSN Messenger is another step forward in bringing the Earth together into one world. Besides the normal email format you can also have web cam and audio conversations, as well as sending files and photos instantly. It?s as sweet as that first time you kissed your honey bunny, well maybe not that sweet.

Reduce TCO: The Java Database Way


TCO (Total Cost Ownership) is the buzzword in today?s business world. This metric helps enterprise managers assess direct and indirect costs and benefits derived from their investment on IT components and services. A vital component of overall TCO is database management. All information-centric applications need databases for data storage. Also, the storage demands of small and mid-sized companies are growing rapidly, as more emphasis is given on data backup and long-term archival of data disaster recovery. Embedded databases have arrived in this scenario as a major cost-cutting tool. They help organizations in managing the growing storage requirements by providing a cost-effective and reliable solution for data backup, file storage and archiving, thereby assuring a lower cost of ownership for small to medium sized business organizations. The remainder of this article will focus on the database server that I am most familiar with (Daffodil DB) and how it helps in the reduction of TCO. Though the example has some nuances specific to Daffodil DB, I am sure that readers will be able to extrapolate the theme to better understand the role of a database in TCO reduction. Let?s begin with Development and Deployment Costs. Gone are the days when applications had to be tested extensively for all underlying platforms. Now, one can shrink the cost and time required to develop and setup solutions on multiple platforms by using a Java database. A separate deployment for different platform implementations of a large application is a major expense that an enterprise can do without. Administration Costs are a major concern for many-a-company. Logically, database administration costs are a significant component of TCO. When embedded with an application, a compact Java database can be made practically invisible to the user, since it (the database) requires no administration and runs on the same Java virtual machine (JVM) as does the application. Its simple performance tuning process helps in optimizing database performance and vastly reduces database administration costs. Now let?s move on to Compatibility Cost. Java databases, being platform independent, are compatible with all operating systems and application servers. This feature helps developers in choosing their own range of effective and economical solutions. For example, with Daffodil DB the developer can use Open Source tools like JBOSS application server for reducing overall TCO. Last, but certainly not the least, let?s get to Licensing Costs. Pardon me if I seem to evangelize Daffodil DB, but that?s one area where I can ?preach? with confidence. As Daffodil DB can be used / embedded with a wide array of applications, flexible licensing policies have been developed to accommodate the diverse needs of the development community without restricting the same to just one standard license. Each application development organization may pick the right combination of licenses that best meets its needs. The organizations may also acquire additional licenses or upgrade their licenses. Do I hear someone shout ?What about Open Source??

Microsoft Great Plains Implementation ? Overview for IT Director/Controller


What is installation in the language of technology?  Installation has server and client sides.  Server side - Installation creates security environment (logins) on MS SQL Server or MSDE, creates system database - DYNAMICS and then company databases.  All these tasks are performed by Microsoft Great Plains Utilities  Workstation side - workstation installation copies the client side application, installs current version of MDAC (we need SQL ODBC driver - please check documentation on ODBC DSN setup), registers the application.  If you plan to run Great Plains Utilities from the workstation to create server side (see above) - you need to check Install Client and Server Components What is following implementation?  Implementation requires combination of technological and accounting skills System Setup - you should refer to GP documentation.  In general setup consists of Company information, General GL/AR/AP/Payroll setup, User classes, Customer/Vendor/Employee classes to name a few Master Records - you should either use integration tools, such as Integration Manager, SQL queries or have users to type in all your GL Accounts, Customers, Vendors, Employees . Beginning Balances - this is recommended approach - you place aside the old accounting application for querying the historical data and enter beginning balances  in Great Plains GL, AR, AP, SOP, POP, Payroll.  When you have balances in the system you are ready to use it in production Historical Data conversion - this is optional, in order to do historical data conversion you need to know basic Great Plains tables structure (Setup->Tools->Resource Description->Tables Structure).  This is similar to surgery - so you probably need outside consultant to help you.  If the volume of historical data is small - you can deploy Great Plains Integration Manager and then post the records in the modules. User Training - we are just listing this item - it is up to you to decide on the way to train your users Using Two Systems in Parallel - this is recommended.  You should print the reports from both systems during this test period and compare the results Customization - typical areas of customizations: Invoice form, Crystal Reports, pulling info from multiple databases, including Great Plains database, Great Plains forms modification with Modifier/VBA, Great Plains Dexterity forms and logic customization, integration with CRM, RMS and other business systems, web publishing from Great Plains tables, EDI with your suppliers, SQL Data Transformation packages Do I need consultant?  We strongly recommend you to use consultant in the following cases You have identified the need for Great Plains Dexterity customization You are doing migration from Pervasive/Ctree to Microsoft SQL Server/MSDE, especially when you have third-parties without migration tools You are doing migration from Great Plains Accounting to Microsoft Great Plains You have to create a lot or ReportWriter Modified Great Plains Reports You have old version of Great Plains: Dynamics or eEnterprise 6.0 or prior - in this case you can not appeal to Microsoft Technical Support - it is discontinued Your Great Plains has more than 20 users in this case the mistake may lead to serious business problems You don't have support for your old Great Plains - then you have to select your Microsoft Business Solutions Partner and pay for the annual support/enhancement plan - you will get new registration key and will be ready for the upgrade Good luck with installation,  implementation, upgrade and if you have issues or concerns ? we are here to help!  If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Software Companies: Generate New Revenue Streams and Decrease Costs with Custom e-Learning Content


It?s no secret that software companies operate in a very competitive space where rivalry is increasingly fierce and where profit margins can be razor thin. New, smaller software companies are sprouting up each month and the leading software companies continually make strong advancements forward leveraging massive cash flow reserves. This cycle makes it difficult for the mid-sized software company to compete because (a) they don?t typically have the cash flow necessary to take giant leaps forward in the industry and (b) because they need to continually move forward to stay ahead of the smaller software companies that are vying for their slot in the marketplace. Consequently, making the jump from an unknown to a mainstream brand can prove to be very difficult for the mid-sized software company.

Cisco CCNA Certification: Becoming A Truly Valuable CCNA.


I've been active in the Cisco Certification track for four years, working my way from the CCNA to the coveted Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert title, and during that time I've conducted job interviews and casual conversations with hundreds of CCNAs and CCNA candidates.

Software Piracy


We regularly hear reports about the cost to the software industry of software piracy, but are the claims to be taken at face value? Statistics are notoriously biased towards what the author is trying to say.

Microsoft Great Plains Integration with Microsoft Access ? Overview for Developer


 Microsoft Business Solutions stakes on Microsoft Great Plains as main Accounting/ERP application for US market.  At the same time it seems to be staking on Navision in Europe and has Axapta as high end large corporation market competitor to Oracle, PeopleSoft, SAP, IBM.  This article is brief review of Microsoft Great Plains integration with Microsoft Access.  This is also applicable to Small Business Manager (which is based on the same technology ? Great Plains Dexterity dictionary - DYNAMICS.DIC and runtime DYNAMICS.EXE) and Great Plains Standard on MSDE  or MS SQL Server. If you are developer who is asked: how do we implement  Great Plains integration/interface  with your MS Access-based  system ? read this and you will have the clues on where to look further. Great Plains Integration Manager - this is rather end-user tool - it is very intuitive, it validates 100% of business logic, brings in/updates master records (accounts, employees, customers, vendors. etc.) brings in transactions into work tables.  The limitation of Integration Manager - it does use GP windows behind the scenes without showing them - so it is relatively slow - you can bring 100 records - but when you are talking about thousands - it is not a good option.  By the way you can program Integration Manager with VBA.  Microsoft Access is ODBC compliant and so you can do direct Integration Manager query to MS Access eConnect ? it is type of Software Development Kit with samples in VB.Net.  Obviously the development environment should be Visual Studio.Net.  eConnect will allow you to integrate master records - such as new customers, vendors, employees, etc., plus you can bring transactions into so called Great Plains work tables (eConnect doesn't allow you to bring open or historical records - you need to post work records in Great Plains, the same limitation applies to Integration Manager above)  eConnect is rather for ongoing integration.  It was initially created for eCommerce application integration to Great Plains. SQL Stored Procedures.  Obviously you have unlimited control and possibilities with SQL queries.  You need to know Great Plains tables structure and data flow.  Launch Great Plains and go to Tools->Resource Description->Tables.  Find the table in the proper series.  If you are looking for the customers ? it should be RM00101 ? customer master file.  If you need historical Sales Order Processing documents ? they are in SOP30200 ? Sales History Header file, etc.   Do not change existing tables - do not create new fields, etc.  Also you need to realize that each GP table has DEX_ROW_ID - identity column.  Sometimes it is good idea to use inbound/outbound XML in the parameters - then you can deploy web service as a middle party between two systems. Data Transformation Services (DTS) ? Good tool for importing your third party data into staging tables in GP - then you can pull them in using either stored procs of Integration Manager.  You can also deploy this tool for EDI export/import.  You can have DTS working with Linked Server - SQL Server Construction for linking to Microsoft Access Great Plains Dexterity Custom Screens.  Sometimes users prefer to have seamlessly integrated into GP interface custom screens - for parameters settings and initiating integration.  Dexterity is a good option, however remember - it is always better to create new custom screen versus customizing existing one - due to the future upgrade issues.  Also - Dexterity is in phasing our by Microsoft Business Solutions. Modifier/VBA custom buttons on the existing screens -  alternative to Dexterity is you are comfortable with VBA and ADO. SQL Linked Servers ? you can do direct SQL queries to other ODBC compliant platform via SQL Linked Server (including Microsoft Access) - you may need to familiarize yourself with OPENROWSET command in Transact SQL.  This is also good option if you need cross-platform Crystal Report - pulling data from SQL Server and third party databases on the same report. Warning - do not place existing GP tables into Replication! - you will have upgrade issues. Happy integrating!  if you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Microsoft Great Plains Reporting ? Overview for Developer


Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more and more popular, partly because of Microsoft muscles behind it.  Now it is targeted to the whole spectrum of horizontal and vertical market clientele.  Small companies use Small Business Manager (which is based on the same technology ? Great Plains Dexterity dictionary and runtime), Great Plains Standard on MSDE is for small to midsize clients, and then Great Plains serves the rest of the market up to big corporations.  There are several reporting tools available and you definitely need to know which one to use for different types of reports. If you are developer who is asked: how do we create report for Microsoft Great Plains ? read this and you will have the clues on where to look further. Great Plains Report Writer (ReportWriter) ? this is built-in reporting tool.  All the original report in Great Plains are written in ReportWriter.  ReportWriter itself is Dexterity module.  You should use this tool if you would like to modify existing Great Plains reports, such as Blank Invoice Form - here you can place your company logo, change the positioning, fonts, colors, etc.  ReportWriter will allow you also do new  reports - simple option  if you want to export all the records from one Great Plains table - use it.  New report, however doesn't have interface where you would enter parameters - so it is not useful for real custom reports.  Another limitation of ReportWriter - you can not do cross-modules report - when you need sales and purchasing info on the same report for example. FRx.  This is excellent tool when deal with financial reporting - it works on the General Ledger level (Balance sheet, P&L, Cash Flow Statement, etc.).  It also allows you to do multiple companies consolidation - when you do consolidated Balance Sheet (with inter-companies transactions elimination). Smart List - Export to Excel ? this is nice feature in Great Plains - you could create a list with simple criteria and then export it to Excel. Crystal Reports.  It gives you unlimited functionality.  Obviously flexibility requires you to know Great Plains table structure:  Launch Great Plains and go to Tools->Resource Description->Tables.  Find the table in the proper series.  If you are looking for the customers ? it should be RM00101 ? customer master file.  If you need historical Sales Order Processing documents ? they are in SOP30200 ? Sales History Header file, etc.  Create ODBC connection to GP Company database.  Use the same technique as when you create standard ODBC connection for GP workstation ? but change default database to targeted company database.  Create SQL Query to probe the data ? we always recommend tuning your query and see that you are getting adequate results ? in any case ? Crystal Report is just a nice tool to show the results of your query. Direct Web Publishing off Great Plains databases ? yes - it is easy now with Visual Studio.Net and you can hire good programmers.  This is good - Microsoft Business Solutions products: Great Plains, Solomon, Navision and Axapta will be integrated into so called Microsoft Business Portal - which will have web interface - you can get the idea if you look at Microsoft CRM web client - so direct web publishing is good taste. SQL Queries.  If you have SQL background - this is great field for you.  You know - with properly formatted SQL query you can realize simple EDI export/import for the integration with legacy systems. Happy designing!  if you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Crystal Reports for Microsoft Great Plains ? Overview for Developer


Microsoft Great Plains is main accounting / ERP application from Microsoft Business Solutions, targeted to the US market.  It serves the whole of vertical and horizontal market: most of the industries and company sizes.  Crystal Reports on the other hand is the leader in the reporting software industry and Microsoft is willing to use Crystal as main reporting tool for Great Plains, Solomon, Microsoft CRM, .Net platform, etc. If you are developer who is asked: how do we extend Great Plains ReportWriter with somewhat more sophisticated ? read this and you will have the clues on where to look further. Great Plains Tables Structure ? first of all you need to know the tables to link.  Launch Great Plains and go to Tools->Resource Description->Tables.  Find the table in the proper series.  If you are looking for the customers ? it should be RM00101 ? customer master file.  If you need historical Sales Order Processing documents ? they are in SOP30200 ? Sales History Header file, etc. Create ODBC connection to GP Company database.  Use the same technique as when you create standard ODBC connection for GP workstation ? but change default database to targeted company database. Consider SQL Views ? if you don?t want complex links in Crystal Report itself or if you need unionization from several companies ? SQL view is the answer. Consider SQL Stored Procedures.  Sometimes you can not pull the data in one view ? you need temporary tables to be created and the final query should be based on these temp tables ? this is when you need stored procedure. Call Crystal Report from GP Screens via VBA/Modifier ? if the user wants to call Crystal report for example - printing Invoices in GP and do it from SOP Entry window ? you can use Modifier and VBA to call Crystal Reports engine. Create SQL Query to probe the data ? we always recommend tuning your query and see that you are getting adequate results ? in any case ? Crystal Report is just a nice tool to show the results of your query. Happy customizing, querying and designing! if you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

How to Upgrade Dexterity Customization ? Tips for IT Manager


If you have Microsoft Great Plains and support it for your company and have light or heavy Great Plains customization, written in Dexterity ? you need to know your options in upgrading Great Plains or migrating it from ctree/Pervasive to MS SQL/MSDE. Great Plains Dexterity is proprietary programming language/environment, which was created in early 1990-th to provide platform / database / graphical interface independence for Mac and Windows based Great Plains Dynamics.  Today it is legacy and Microsoft Business Solutions is phasing Dexterity out. However Great Plains 7.5 and even 8.0 is Dexterity based application, so you have to deal with it and it?s customization.   Good news.  Prior to version 7.0 Great Plains had plans on expanding GP functionality and so was changing tables structure ? forcing Dexterity customization to be analyzed and partially rewritten with each upgrade.  Not any more ? GP structure stays the same ? Microsoft is doing new modules acquisition and unifying it?s graphical interface to move all it?s ERP packages: Great Plains, Solomon, Navision and Axapta to web-based Microsoft Business Portal.   Still pain.  Dexterity has possibility to customize existing Great Plains screens, so called Alternative Great Plains forms.  This was upgrade problem in the past and it stays now ? there is no way to do it in house (until you are willing to pay for full-time internal developer ? who is usually in the learning curve).  You got to bring in consultant. Recommended approach.  You should have the strategy to migrate Dexterity customization to SQL, Crystal Reports, custom web publishing ? Visual Studio.net and slowly abandon Dexterity customization SQL Stored procedures - performance improvement.  Consider replacing dexterity data manipulation with SQL stored procedures.  Dexterity is cursor-driven language and it is not efficient when processing huge datasets. Crystal Reports.  Take advantage of open and leading technology.  Crystal Reports will eliminate the need in the future for painstaking Dexterity reports upgrade.  Base you Crystal report on the SQL view or stored proc Do direct web publishing off your GP database.  Use Visual Studio ? it is easy to find specialists and have them in staff.  We are in the World when web publishing is very easy. Good luck and if you have issues or concerns ? we are here to help! if you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

IT Department Skills to Support Microsoft Great Plains and Microsoft CRM


Microsoft Great Plains as ERP and Microsoft CRM as Client Relation Management system is very robust combination and could serve midsize to large corporation as Business System.  Being VP IT or IT Director you need to foresee the positions to have in your IT department to do internal MS Great Plains and MS CRM support. Let us give you the directions, based on our research and consulting practice. Microsoft SQL Server Specialist ? we specially do not name this position as MS SQL DBA, because both Great Plains and MS CRM are not very complex from the database administration side, they do not use indexes optimization, referential integrity, probably do not require complex transaction log backup/recovery scenarios.  On the other hand this position requires Great Plains and Microsoft CRM tables structure analysis and some primary Great Plains data fixing skills via SQL queries, described in MBS Customer source techknowledge database.  The best candidate should have some accounting background - to be able to address ongoing issues to MBS technical support. Network Administrator with good Microsoft Exchange and Active Directory skills.  Microsoft CRM uses all the newest Microsoft technologies, and Exchange is a workhorse here.  In order to install and upgrade MS CRM this guy needs to understand the under-laying Microsoft technology.  In the best case - she/he should know Exchange security structure and probably program Exchange handlers, due to the fact that CRM/Exchange connector is not a perfect tool yet. C# or VB.Net programmer with excellent SQL Skills? if you are midsize or large company - you should have this position - you will need web publishing and MS CRM customization and its support.  Currently Microsoft CRM SDK has C# examples - so C# programmer would be the best fit, it may have more VB code in the future, so the C# - VB balance maybe restored. Crystal Reports Designer/Programmer - Crystal Reports is the best tool available on the market to address both Great Plains and MS CRM reporting needs.  This position maybe merged with one of the above. These people should be probably cross-trained in both Great Plains, Microsoft CRM, Crystal Reports, SQL and C# programming, so you do not depend on the unique skills of one person.  In our opinion, which is based on our long term consulting practice - these skills will allow you to keep the cost of IT support reasonably low and avoid paying high consulting price to your Microsoft Business Solutions Partner. Happy hiring and training! But in any case you need to select Microsoft Business Solutions Partner/Var/Reseller to be your official representative.  This is how MBS has its channel working - it assures that Microsoft Business Solutions products are properly implemented.  If you want us to be your Microsoft Business Solutions Partner - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

SQL: Querying Microsoft Great Plains ? Overview for Database Administrator/Developer


Microsoft CRM Custom Design & Development: SDK, C#, SQL, Exchange, Integration, Crystal Reports


Microsoft CRM is new player on the CRM software market.  The whole conception behind CRM seems to be different.  In case of traditional CRM software (Siebel, Oracle) - the application was designed with platform independence in mind.  Microsoft CRM is dedicated to Microsoft technology and so deploys all the Microsoft tools: Windows Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange 2003/2000, SQL Server, Crystal Reports Enterprise, Biztalk server, Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Great Plains as backend, etc. If you are software developer, database administrator or web designer who is asked: how do we customize Microsoft CRM ? we are giving you directions in this article. Microsoft CRM SDK ? this is software development kit with C# and partly VB.net code samples ? it is supported by Microsoft Business Solutions technical support.  It is based on web service calls, if you are C# .NET developer ? you are excellently positioned to do this type of customizations.  This is the preferred modification scenario and this should be easily upgradeable customization.  VB.Net examples will be available soon. Legacy SQL Data integration.  This is also easy and safe.  If you have SQL database, sitting on the same or linked SQL Server ? you can create ASPX .Net application and simply integrate it into CRM.  You can place it on the navigation bar or menu in isv.config ? please refer to MS CRM SDK Legacy ASP integration ? this is somewhat more sophisticated.  You have to deploy HTTP handler to be a middle party between CRM which is .Net based and ASP which is legacy IIS.  The trick is ? you have to have INI file with security settings to penetrate into MS CRM with proper credentials, calling web service. Microsoft Exchange Programming.  Microsoft CRM has Exchange connector ? which moves CRM incoming email to MS if it has GUID in its subject.  You can alter this logic (for instance - move email to CRM if it doesn?t have GUID but it is from the sender who is contact or account in MS CRM).  Refer to MS Exchange SDK onsyncsave event handling.  Then simply apply some MS CRM SDK programming - you need some COM+ objects creation and VB programming experience. Direct SQL touch ? in #4 above I described you the scenario with MS Exchange handlers ? this would be ideal world if MS CRM SDK does the job.  But ? in real world this is not always true ? you have to do direct flags correction in CRM database (like making Activity closed, moving email attachments/octet streams, etc).  This is not supported by MBS technical support ? but you can rescue to this technique if you have to get job done. MS CRM Customization tool ?  this is rather end-user tool and we don?t describe it here ? read the manual.  We?ve described above the options to use when this tool doesn?t do the job Crystal Reports - feel free to create Crystal report - tables and views structure is self explanatory.  Try to avoid the temptation to create your own SQL view or stored procedure in MS CRM database, instead - create custom database and place your view and stored proc in it.  Happy modifying! If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

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Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software - The Wall Street Journal
Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software  The Wall Street Journal

The moon landing was one of the most important moments in the history of computing, laying the foundations for everything from fly-by-wire cockpits to the ...


Software Developers Face Secure Coding Challenges - Dark Reading
Software Developers Face Secure Coding Challenges  Dark Reading

Seven in ten developers are expected to write secure code, but less than half receive feedback on security, a survey finds.


Broadcom's List of Potential Software Targets Probably Doesn't End with Symantec - TheStreet.com
Broadcom's List of Potential Software Targets Probably Doesn't End with Symantec  TheStreet.com

Broadcom's (AVGO) pursuit of Symantec (SYMC) might have hit a speed bump, but that likely won't spell an end to Broadcom's pursuit of large software deals.


Amperity Raises $50M for Marketing Software Used by Consumer Brands - Xconomy
Amperity Raises $50M for Marketing Software Used by Consumer Brands  Xconomy

Amperity, a Seattle-based startup developing software to help consumer-facing brands collect and manage customer data, announced Monday it has raised $50 ...


Software Survey: Readers embrace software's leading role in warehousing and distribution - Modern Materials Handling
Software Survey: Readers embrace software's leading role in warehousing and distribution  Modern Materials Handling

As the complexities of modern-day fulfillment continue to grow, software is playing an increasingly important role in how companies manage in this dynamic ...


8BitDo’s Pro+ gamepad provides ‘ultimate’ control with new software - VentureBeat
8BitDo’s Pro+ gamepad provides ‘ultimate’ control with new software  VentureBeat

8BitDo is releasing the Pro+ gamepad this month. It has all the features of a modern controller with its own customization software included for free.


Praxis to Provide BOSS. Gaming With Cashier Payment Software to Expand Their Product Offering - PRNewswire
Praxis to Provide BOSS. Gaming With Cashier Payment Software to Expand Their Product Offering  PRNewswire

LIMASSOL, Cyprus, July 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart cashier software giant Praxis announced today a new cooperation with BOSS. Gaming Solutions, a ...


Vista Raises $850M To Buy Smaller Software Firms As PE Keeps Chasing Tech - Crunchbase News
Vista Raises $850M To Buy Smaller Software Firms As PE Keeps Chasing Tech  Crunchbase News

News broke this morning that Vista Equity Partners, a famous private equity shop, has closed an $850 million fund to continue its purchasing of smaller ...


DLT Solutions wins spot on $820M DOD software contract - Washington Business Journal
DLT Solutions wins spot on $820M DOD software contract  Washington Business Journal

Have a look at some notable government contracts won by local companies.


How The Software Industry Must Marry Ethics With Artificial Intelligence - Forbes
How The Software Industry Must Marry Ethics With Artificial Intelligence  Forbes

With AI, leaders in all major sectors will be under greater obligation to document whether the institutions they serve are net positives on their communities.


The Pluses and Perils of In-House Retail Software - Total Retail
The Pluses and Perils of In-House Retail Software  Total Retail

This year, Dick's Sporting Goods is transitioning to in-house software across all of its e-commerce platforms. The effort echoes similar tech initiatives by Walmart ...


Software that can predict athletic performance created by researchers - The Jakarta Post - Jakarta Post
Software that can predict athletic performance created by researchers - The Jakarta Post  Jakarta Post

Researchers in Australia have developed prototype software that studies the impact of fatigue on athletic performance.


Artificial Intelligence in Software Development: 5 Myths and Realities - ITPro Today
Artificial Intelligence in Software Development: 5 Myths and Realities  ITPro Today

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is one of the most intriguing topics in software development today. It is also one of the most widely misunderstood. For software ...


Feature: Software - Office Products International
Feature: Software  Office Products International

DDMSPLUS & Red Falcon DDMSPLUS from ECi Software Solutions is a complete, cloud-based business management solution for dealers looking to…


Charleston electronic signature business acquired by Indiana software firm - Charleston Post Courier
Charleston electronic signature business acquired by Indiana software firm  Charleston Post Courier

Joe Floyd founded InsureSign in 2011 after spotting a void in the market.


Oracle Entry-Level Software Engineers: Solid Pay for a Hard Job - Dice Insights
Oracle Entry-Level Software Engineers: Solid Pay for a Hard Job  Dice Insights

Software engineers at Oracle make solid salaries in comparison to their peers at Google, Microsoft, and Apple, especially for those just starting out.


Raleigh startup Cowork builds software to power workspaces of the future - WRAL Tech Wire
Raleigh startup Cowork builds software to power workspaces of the future  WRAL Tech Wire

RALEIGH – DeShawn Brown believes there's a cultural shift happening in the way people work today. And he's ready to capitalize on it. Enter Coworks, a co.


Accounting Software Market to Reach US$ 20408.0 Mn by 2026, Rising Penetration of Cloud-based Accounting Software Across Diverse Industries Drives the Market: Fortune Business Insights - GlobeNewswire
Accounting Software Market to Reach US$ 20408.0 Mn by 2026, Rising Penetration of Cloud-based Accounting Software Across Diverse Industries Drives the Market: Fortune Business Insights  GlobeNewswire

Pune, July 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The rapid shift from the traditional way of managing financial records to adopting an accounting information system ...


Investors Who Bought Aptitude Software Group (LON:APTD) Shares Three Years Ago Are Now Up 215% - Yahoo Finance
Investors Who Bought Aptitude Software Group (LON:APTD) Shares Three Years Ago Are Now Up 215%  Yahoo Finance

It might seem bad, but the worst that can happen when you buy a stock (without leverage) is that its share price goes...


Lincoln police looking to expand use of controversial facial recognition software - Lincoln Journal Star
Lincoln police looking to expand use of controversial facial recognition software  Lincoln Journal Star

The Lincoln Police Department wants to expand its use of facial recognition technology to identify criminal suspects quicker as the amount of video evidence ...


Airlines cancel thousands of flights as Boeing works to fix 737 Max software problems - The Washington Post
Airlines cancel thousands of flights as Boeing works to fix 737 Max software problems  The Washington Post

Airlines are planning for the possibility that Boeing's beleaguered 737 Max commercial jetliners will remain out of commission late into the fall, as the company ...


Microsoft, Adobe and SAP are making progress in their campaign against Salesforce - CNBC
Microsoft, Adobe and SAP are making progress in their campaign against Salesforce  CNBC

Adobe, Microsoft and SAP are pointing to more customers for their Open Data Initiative, which frees data from silos and puts them together for enrichment.


DLT gets spot on $820M DOD commercial software pact - Washington Technology
DLT gets spot on $820M DOD commercial software pact  Washington Technology

DLT Solutions is the first announced awardee of a potential $820.4 million blanket purchase agreement to supply commercial software to multiple defense and ...


Data Integration and Integrity Software Market to reach US$ 20,044.9 Mn by 2026,at a CAGR of 12.5%.; IBM and Other Top-notch Players Cover More than Half of the Market: Fortune Business Insights - GlobeNewswire
Data Integration and Integrity Software Market to reach US$ 20,044.9 Mn by 2026,at a CAGR of 12.5%.; IBM and Other Top-notch Players Cover More than Half of the Market: Fortune Business Insights  GlobeNewswire

Key companies covered in the Data Integration and Integrity Software Market Research report include SAP SE, Informatica, Talend, SAS Institute Inc., Pitney ...


Onslow announces new PropertyCheck software - Jacksonville Daily News
Onslow announces new PropertyCheck software  Jacksonville Daily News

ONSLOW COUNTY, NC—Becky Pollard, Register of Deeds for Onslow County, announced today that they have implemented Cott Systems' PropertyCheck in ...


[Webinars] Software supply chain and open source scans - Security Boulevard
[Webinars] Software supply chain and open source scans  Security Boulevard

Learn how different open source scans create different value for M&A transactions, and how binary analysis can help you secure your software supply chain.


AuditFile updates software with improved compliance controls - Accounting Today
AuditFile updates software with improved compliance controls  Accounting Today

AuditFile, which makes cloud-based audit automation software, has updated its software with improved compliance controls for its Spring release. The update ...


AI Startup Develops Facial Recognition Software For Dogs - Forbes
AI Startup Develops Facial Recognition Software For Dogs  Forbes

An Alibaba-backed company that supplies facial recognition software to the Chinese government has developed an AI-driven facial recognition app to identify ...


DOD takes early steps in implementing software acquisition recommendations - FedScoop
DOD takes early steps in implementing software acquisition recommendations  FedScoop

Three senior leaders at the Department of Defense have been chosen to lead work around the four “lines of effort†that the Defense Innovation Board identified in ...


Apple is silently removing Zoom’s web server software from Macs - The Verge
Apple is silently removing Zoom’s web server software from Macs  The Verge

After all of the drama over Zoom's use of a hidden web server on Macs, Apple itself has decided to step in, TechCrunch reports. Zoom is issuing a silent update ...


Bitwig's modular music production software Studio 3 is out now - Resident Advisor
Bitwig's modular music production software Studio 3 is out now  Resident Advisor

Bitwig Studio 3 is now available to purchase. Announced back in January, the boundary-pushing music software has now reached its goal of supplying a ...


ServiceTitan: Software Integration | 2019-07-15 | ACHR News - ACHR NEWS
ServiceTitan: Software Integration | 2019-07-15 | ACHR News  ACHR NEWS

Company: ServiceTitan Product: iManifold Integration Description: An HVACR diagnostic platform manufactured by North Park Innovations Group integrates with ...


Chinese Software Engineer Accused of IP Theft - Infosecurity Magazine
Chinese Software Engineer Accused of IP Theft  Infosecurity Magazine

A Chinese software engineer is still on the run after being accused of stealing intellectual property for his new employer. Xudong (“Williamâ€) Yao, 57, worked at a ...


Vernier Software & Technology Wins Three Tech & Learning ISTE 2019 Best of Show Awards - PRNewswire
Vernier Software & Technology Wins Three Tech & Learning ISTE 2019 Best of Show Awards  PRNewswire

BEAVERTON, Ore., July 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Vernier Software & Technology recently won three Tech & Learning ISTE 2019 Best of Show Awards.


'Karl Marx failed to consider software': billionaire Tom Steyer on inequality and his 2020 run - The Guardian
'Karl Marx failed to consider software': billionaire Tom Steyer on inequality and his 2020 run  The Guardian

The Democratic party mega-donor has to distinguish himself from other candidates with no widespread name recognition in the 2020 field.


Oregon State University researchers create method to make software more gender-inclusive - The Daily Barometer
Oregon State University researchers create method to make software more gender-inclusive  The Daily Barometer

In recent years it has been discovered by Margaret Burnett and her team that the majority of software systems have unintentional gender bias favoring traditional ...


Canon Medical Systems launch world's 1st CT deep-learning reconstruction software - Korea Biomedical Review
Canon Medical Systems launch world's 1st CT deep-learning reconstruction software  Korea Biomedical Review

Canon Medical Systems Korea said that it has launched "Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine" (AiCE), the world's first deep-learning reconstruction software, ...


Bow River closes software growth equity fund at $160 mn - PE Hub
Bow River closes software growth equity fund at $160 mn  PE Hub

Bow River Capital has raised $160 million for its software growth equity fund. The fund will seek to make equity investments between $5 million and $15 million.


The Czech Cyber Billionaire Who Built A Fortune On Free Software - Forbes
The Czech Cyber Billionaire Who Built A Fortune On Free Software  Forbes

Pavel Baudis built a massive software company out of Czech communism's ashes. It's made him a billionaire and protected millions from cybercriminals.


Lightspeed Retail Expands Cloud-Based POS Software - eSellerCafe
Lightspeed Retail Expands Cloud-Based POS Software  eSellerCafe

To help retailers and restaurants keep their shelves stocked at all times, whether physical or virtual, Montreal-based point-of-sale software provider, Lightspeed, ...


How to Safely Run Software With Windows 10 Sandbox - PCMag
How to Safely Run Software With Windows 10 Sandbox  PCMag

Windows Sandbox is a temporary virtual machine built into Windows 10 where you can run software with.


Mortgage Software Firm Calyx Hires Robert Shumake as National Sales Consultant - Mortgageorb
Mortgage Software Firm Calyx Hires Robert Shumake as National Sales Consultant  Mortgageorb

Robert Shumake recently joined Calyx, a provider of mortgage origination software, as national sales consultant. Shumake has nearly 20 years sales ...


Ventilator software error prompts Hamilton Medical recall - MedTech Dive
Ventilator software error prompts Hamilton Medical recall  MedTech Dive

Hamilton Medical is recalling 4,338 Hamilton-G5 ventilators used for intensive care ventilation because of the potential for a software error to cause the device to ...


Deaths of 11 people including boy, 6, linked to NHS Pathways software used in 999 calls - Mirror Online
Deaths of 11 people including boy, 6, linked to NHS Pathways software used in 999 calls  Mirror Online

The Health *Service* Journal uncovered 11 “prevention of future death†reports since 2015 where coroners raised the safety concerns.


By providing face-recognition software, Israeli high-tech is on the wrong side of justice - Haaretz
By providing face-recognition software, Israeli high-tech is on the wrong side of justice  Haaretz

Unlike the employees of Google, who protested selling face-recognition technology, Israeli developers ignore their technology's use in monitoring civilian ...


Navy Awards DLT Spot on $820M COTS Software, IT Support BPA - GovConWire
Navy Awards DLT Spot on $820M COTS Software, IT Support BPA  GovConWire

DLT Solutions has secured a position on a potential 10-year, $820.4M blanket purchase agreement to provide commercial-off-the-shelf software and information ...


Should All Software Be Gameplay Gamified? - Forbes
Should All Software Be Gameplay Gamified?  Forbes

Enterprise gamification needs a just cause, shouldn't be a fable and it should always consider the fact that some people have the killer instinct to join the ...


Walmart is offering up to 50% off Norton antivirus software this Prime Day - Digital Trends
Walmart is offering up to 50% off Norton antivirus software this Prime Day  Digital Trends

Amazon may have created Prime Day, but that doesn't mean Walmart is *content* to sit on the sidelines. The retail giant is also dropping prices on thousands of ...


Non-Profit Cardiovascular Research And Education Leader Opts for GEP Procurement Software - Supply and Demand Chain Executive
Non-Profit Cardiovascular Research And Education Leader Opts for GEP Procurement Software  Supply and Demand Chain Executive

American Heart Association chooses GEP's unified procurement software platform for comprehensive sourcing and supplier management.


After $720K and 3 missed deadlines, St. Paul police say software company broke contract - St. Paul Pioneer Press
After $720K and 3 missed deadlines, St. Paul police say software company broke contract  St. Paul Pioneer Press

The St. Paul police department says a software company missed three dates to launch an integral program, and now the police chief has told the company they ...


Software Valuations and the Rule of 40 - Yahoo Finance
Software Valuations and the Rule of 40  Yahoo Finance

How is it that large investors are still piling into software stocks trading at over 20X sales?


TrackTik Software VP Mark Folmer Honored As Top Influencer In The Global Security Industry - SecurityInformed
TrackTik Software VP Mark Folmer Honored As Top Influencer In The Global Security Industry  SecurityInformed

TrackTik Software, provider of the No. 1 security workforce management software solutions internationally, has announced that its Vice President, Security ...


Palantir Awarded $144M Navy BPA for Hardware, Software - GovConWire
Palantir Awarded $144M Navy BPA for Hardware, Software  GovConWire

Palantir Technologies has received a potential five-year, $143.8M blanket purchase agreement from the U.S. Navy to deliver commercial-off-the-shelf software, ...


Software that crashes Google Chrome [COMPLETE LIST] - Windows Report
Software that crashes Google Chrome [COMPLETE LIST]  Windows Report

If you are facing Google Chrome crashing issue, check the list of applications that cause it. It includes tools like Internet Download Manager and others.


Relational Databases Software Market 2019-2025 - Rise Media
Relational Databases Software Market 2019-2025  Rise Media

Here we have provided an in-depth study regarding the global Relational Databases Software Market which completely analyses the past as well as recent ...


Nevermind! After backlash, Microsoft says partners will keep software usage rights, after all - GeekWire
Nevermind! After backlash, Microsoft says partners will keep software usage rights, after all  GeekWire

In a sudden turn of events, Microsoft is reversing its controversial decision to take a key benefit away from its more than 300000 partners, saying it will preserve ...


Designs For 3D Printing: Startup nTopology Raises $20 Million To Expand Its Next-Generation Design Software - Forbes
Designs For 3D Printing: Startup nTopology Raises $20 Million To Expand Its Next-Generation Design Software  Forbes

New York software startup nTopology offers a new way of designing and engineering parts. It raised $20 million, led by Canaan, for expansion.


RPA for Software Test Automation: Not So Simple - CIO
RPA for Software Test Automation: Not So Simple  CIO

If you already have a robotic process automation (RPA) tool in your organization and you're looking to get started with test automation, your RPA tool might seem ...


Boeing 737 Max likely to be grounded till 2020 as software needs to be fixed: Report - The News Minute
Boeing 737 Max likely to be grounded till 2020 as software needs to be fixed: Report  The News Minute

Most airlines operating the Boeing 737 Max aircraft may not resume flying them at least until the first quarter of the next year 2020 as per reports coming in.


Training eLearning Software Market - News Exterior
Training eLearning Software Market  News Exterior

This research report is equipped with the information categorising for Training eLearning Software Market by parameters such as players, brands, regions, types ...


Sales Commission Software Market 2019-2025 - Rise Media
Sales Commission Software Market 2019-2025  Rise Media

Here we have provided an in-depth study regarding the global Sales Commission Software Market which completely analyses the past as well as recent Sales ...


Global Anti-money Laundering Software Market Size, Share, Analysis, Growth, Trends, Leaders, POS Systems, Technology Used, Services and Forecast to 2025 - Rise Media
Global Anti-money Laundering Software Market Size, Share, Analysis, Growth, Trends, Leaders, POS Systems, Technology Used, Services and Forecast to 2025  Rise Media

“Global Anti-money Laundering Software Marketâ€, this report helps to analyze top manufacturers, regions, revenue, price, and also covers Industry sales channel ...


Man uses password breaking software to hack women's online accounts - Fox News
Man uses password breaking software to hack women's online accounts  Fox News

A man gained unauthorized access to more than 100 women's digital accounts, all of which were password protected, according to a statement this week from ...


Save up to 60% on web hosting software from Bluehost with this flash sale - TechRadar
Save up to 60% on web hosting software from Bluehost with this flash sale  TechRadar

Bluehost is celebrating its birthday and it's celebrating big, giving a massive discount to those looking to invest in an upgrade to their web hosting *service*.


Global Legal Operations Software Market 2019-2025 : SimpleLegal, BusyLamp, LawVu, Mitratech, Dazychain, Acuity ELM – Rise Media - Rise Media
Global Legal Operations Software Market 2019-2025 : SimpleLegal, BusyLamp, LawVu, Mitratech, Dazychain, Acuity ELM – Rise Media  Rise Media

The Global Legal Operations Software Market report provides an extensive research and detailed analysis of the present market along with future outlook.


Detroit residents voice opposition to police use of facial recognition software - SecurityInfoWatch
Detroit residents voice opposition to police use of facial recognition software  SecurityInfoWatch

Detroit — During a raucous Board of Police Commissioners meeting Thursday, officers removed a commissioner from the meeting as other cops held back an ...


Global iPaaS Software Market 2019-2025 : IBM, MuleSoft, Zapier, Dell Boomi, Jitterbit, PieSync, Celigo – Rise Media - Rise Media
Global iPaaS Software Market 2019-2025 : IBM, MuleSoft, Zapier, Dell Boomi, Jitterbit, PieSync, Celigo – Rise Media  Rise Media

The Global iPaaS Software Market report provides an extensive research and detailed analysis of the present market along with future outlook. The report ...


Attractive Business Opportunities in App Store Optimization Software Market Estimate to Grow at a Significant Rate Throughout the Forecast Period - Rise Media
Attractive Business Opportunities in App Store Optimization Software Market Estimate to Grow at a Significant Rate Throughout the Forecast Period  Rise Media

Global App Store Optimization Software Status and Trend Report offers a comprehensive analysis of App Store Optimization Software industry, standing on the ...


Billionaire Robert Smith’s Vista Raises $850 Million, Doubling Down On Its Commitment To Small Software Buyouts - Forbes
Billionaire Robert Smith’s Vista Raises $850 Million, Doubling Down On Its Commitment To Small Software Buyouts  Forbes

Vista Equity Partners, led by billionaires Robert Smith and Brian Sheth, is chasing gargantuan deals. But the pioneers of the software buyout aren't ready to give ...


Stocks To Watch: Software Leader ServiceNow In Buy Range, For Now - Investor's Business Daily
Stocks To Watch: Software Leader ServiceNow In Buy Range, For Now  Investor's Business Daily

ServiceNow, today's IBD 50 Stocks To Watch pick, remains in buy range from a recent breakout and is a triple threat in the stock market.


CEO Ginni Rometty: Red Hat's open-source software 'is a play that helps all of IBM' - CNBC
CEO Ginni Rometty: Red Hat's open-source software 'is a play that helps all of IBM'  CNBC

IBM CEO Ginni Rometty told CNBC Tuesday she expects Red Hat will produce 2% of annual growth for the computer company's top line in coming years.


How Google uses dark software tricks to turn your 'no' into a 'yes' - The Australian Financial Review
How Google uses dark software tricks to turn your 'no' into a 'yes'  The Australian Financial Review

In Google's mind, not saying "no" to it at every turn is the same as saying "yes". This thinking is going to get it into trouble one day.


Apple software manager talks enterprise changes in iOS 13 and more in podcast interview - 9to5Mac
Apple software manager talks enterprise changes in iOS 13 and more in podcast interview  9to5Mac

In the latest episode of the Mac Admins Podcast, Jeremy Butcher, Apple's product marketing manager for enterprise and education software goes in-depth on ...


What Boeing’s 737 MAX Has to Do With Cars: Software - WIRED
What Boeing’s 737 MAX Has to Do With Cars: Software  WIRED

Investigators believe faulty software contributed to two fatal crashes. A newly discovered fault will likely will keep the 737 MAX grounded until the fall.


Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 could stall due to software glitch - Autoblog - Autoblog
Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 could stall due to software glitch - Autoblog  Autoblog

Mazda is recalling 262,220 vehicles due to a software error that could cause the engine to unexpectedly stall out. The recall affects 2018-2019 CX-5 crossovers, ...


Don't Be Scared: European and Chinese Software Patents Won't Hurt U.S. Businesses - EFF
Don't Be Scared: European and Chinese Software Patents Won't Hurt U.S. Businesses  EFF

A Senate subcommittee recently concluded three days of testimony about a proposed patent bill that, we have explained, would be a terrible idea. Proponents of ...


This AI Software Is 'Coaching' Customer Service Workers. Soon It Could Be Bossing You Around, Too - TIME
This AI Software Is 'Coaching' Customer Service Workers. Soon It Could Be Bossing You Around, Too  TIME

I'm on the phone with a startup executive roleplaying as a frustrated customer, and a note along with a speedometer icon appears on my computer…


YouTube software engineer injures 8 in drug-induced Fourth of July rampage, police say - USA TODAY
YouTube software engineer injures 8 in drug-induced Fourth of July rampage, police say  USA TODAY

Betai Koffi's alleged drug-induced rampage in Bodega Bay brought a violent end to eight people's Fourth of July, authorities in California said.


Carmel firm pioneering software designed to give drones digital license plates - Indianapolis Business Journal
Carmel firm pioneering software designed to give drones digital license plates  Indianapolis Business Journal

If you've ever seen a drone and wondered who owns it and where it came from, you're not alone. Locally based Pierce Aerospace is pioneering software to ...


Software Engineer Charged for Taking Stolen Trade ... - Dark Reading
Software Engineer Charged for Taking Stolen Trade ...  Dark Reading

Xudong Yao reportedly stole proprietary information from his employer and brought it to China, where he is believed to currently reside.


Ultimate Software tops millennials workplace list - Sun Sentinel
Ultimate Software tops millennials workplace list  Sun Sentinel

For the third year in a row, Weston-based Ultimate Software tops Fortune's 'best workplace for millennials' list.


Broadcom Said to Be in Talks to Buy Symantec, the Security Software Maker - The New York Times
Broadcom Said to Be in Talks to Buy Symantec, the Security Software Maker  The New York Times

Broadcom has set its sights on acquiring a well-known name in cybersecurity software, in a further strategy shift after the Trump administration blocked it last ...


GovTech Giant Accela Launches New Cloud-Based Cannabis Software - Forbes
GovTech Giant Accela Launches New Cloud-Based Cannabis Software  Forbes

Exclusive: Berkshire Partners' Accella is launching a cloud-based seed-to-sale solution for the cannabis industry in partnership with Kind Financial. The product ...


Why your software project failed, and how to succeed next time - TechRepublic
Why your software project failed, and how to succeed next time  TechRepublic

Developers, project managers, and product managers can all learn from project failures to build more successful products in the future.


New Acura MDX, TLX Allegedly Leaked Through RDX Software Suite - Motor1.com
New Acura MDX, TLX Allegedly Leaked Through RDX Software Suite  Motor1.com

A forum member at AcuraZine.com found images of the 2020 MDX and 2021 TLX while searching through image files from the infotainment system in the new ...


Feds run old Ohio drivers license photos through facial-recognition software - The Columbus Dispatch
Feds run old Ohio drivers license photos through facial-recognition software  The Columbus Dispatch

Under then-Attorney General Mike DeWine in 2016, Ohio granted the FBI access to Ohio's database of driver's license photos from 2011 amid objections from ...


BofA, Google, and the Mets Are Using Software to Take Out the Trash - Bloomberg
BofA, Google, and the Mets Are Using Software to Take Out the Trash  Bloomberg

Recycle Track Systems can help route waste away from landfills and alert companies when trucks are nearing a pickup point.


iPadOS Review: The Software Your iPad Has Been Waiting For - The Wall Street Journal
iPadOS Review: The Software Your iPad Has Been Waiting For  The Wall Street Journal

With iPadOS, new software coming this fall, Apple finally makes the iPad into the powerful, laptop-replacement device it was always meant to be.


Broadcom looks to old software names Symantec and Tibco as chip business deteriorates - CNBC
Broadcom looks to old software names Symantec and Tibco as chip business deteriorates  CNBC

If the Symantec deal doesn't get done, Broadcom has also been working on a deal to acquire an infrastructure software company and has considered Tibco, ...


Mazda recalls more than 260K cars due to software issue - New York Post
Mazda recalls more than 260K cars due to software issue  New York Post

Mazda has issued a recall in the US for more than 260,000 SUVs and cars after discovering a software issue that could possibly cause engines to stall without ...


Personalized medicine software vulnerability uncovered: Discovery led researchers to software fix - Science Daily
Personalized medicine software vulnerability uncovered: Discovery led researchers to software fix  Science Daily

A weakness in one common open source software for genomic analysis left DNA-based medical diagnostics vulnerable to cyberattacks. Researchers identified ...


Software giant SAP sees 'huge' opportunities in China - CNBC
Software giant SAP sees 'huge' opportunities in China  CNBC

As German enterprise software giant SAP looks to expand in China in a big way, it is looking to more partnership opportunities in the country.


Pipefy raises $45 million for process pipeline management software - VentureBeat
Pipefy raises $45 million for process pipeline management software  VentureBeat

Pipefy, a San Francisco firm developing a process pipeline management platform for enterprises, has raised $45 million in series B funding.


Alexandria council OKs extension of predictive policing software - Alexandria Town Talk
Alexandria council OKs extension of predictive policing software  Alexandria Town Talk

The Alexandria City Council passed an extension Tuesday for a program used by police that analyzes historical data to try to predict where crime might happen.


Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms: IT & software - Financial Times
Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms: IT & software  Financial Times

Firms were ranked by clients and peers in three classes: 1 gold (very frequently recommended); 2 silver (frequently recommended); and 3 bronze ...


AI software beats top poker players in milestone of computing - The Seattle Times
AI software beats top poker players in milestone of computing  The Seattle Times

Researchers at Facebook and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) have developed an artificial intelligence bot called Pluribus that defeated five top players in ...


GNOME Software Moving Forward With Disabling Snap Plugin - Linux.com
GNOME Software Moving Forward With Disabling Snap Plugin  Linux.com

Michael Larabel of Phoronix reports that GNOME developers are planning to disable the Snap plug-in for GNOME Software. Canonical has begun writing their ...


What Is Open-Source Software? (+The Benefits and Risks) - G2
What Is Open-Source Software? (+The Benefits and Risks)  G2

The rise of open-source software from a small community to an enterprise philosophy has been a defining story of today's tech. In this blog, we explore the ...


CDK hones in on dealer software, customer service - Automotive News
CDK hones in on dealer software, customer service  Automotive News

The company is divesting its digital marketing business as it hones in on dealership software and customer *service* under new CEO Brian Krzanich.


Cloudera will open source all its software, run business like Red Hat - Business Insider
Cloudera will open source all its software, run business like Red Hat  Business Insider

In June, Cloudera CEO Tom Reilly announced he would resign. Now, Cloudera is announcing a plan it's worked on since its merger with Hortonworks.





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For instance, if you develop a database management system, its user guide will certainly contain such words as "database", "query", "transaction", "table", "record", and etc. On the other hand, people use these words in their queries when they are looking for a database management solution on the Google, Yahoo, or other search engine. Let the interested people to find your web site and your product. Upload your manual on your web server and make it available for indexing by search engine spiders. This area specific content will make your web site and your software more visible to potential customers. Making the user guide available online will increase your web site rank in relevant search results and will bring highly targeted traffic to web your site. Let the manual to work not only for your users, but for you as well. Online Manual Saves Your Time A picture worth a hundred words. Those who are engaged in user support know this for sure. When replying to user concerns, very often we have to write sentences like this "Open the Document settings dialog. Choose the External modules tab. Select the 'ABC Spell Checker' in the module list. Enter your registration key and verification code in the corresponding text fields which will appear at the bottom of the window. Then, press Activate". If your application is simple the user will likely understand you right and will do everything as you have explained. However, if your application is a complex system with lots of setting windows which behave differently in various modes, the user may be puzzled which window and which fields do you mean. In this case you risk getting into a long conversation by repeatedly explaining the same things again and again. The screenshot could be a very helpful illustration of your explanations. You may run your application, go to the certain window, open that tab page, activate the corresponding item in the list. Then make the screenshot of the window by using Alt+PrtSc key combination or another screen capture tool, save the picture in a file, and finally attach it to your message. Sometimes it's also necessary to add callouts, annotations and other enlightenments to the screenshot picture. Thus, you have to launch your image editor and to manually draw all the elements required. As you see, it may takes up to a half hour to reply to a single message only. And how many messages are yet in the queue? Having the screenshots prepared is a good approach which may save your time. But having screenshots already prepared together with callouts, explanations, and annotations is a great approach which will save you much more time. Most likely, you have all that stuff prepared in your software manual but it's not very polite to reply to the user: "Read that fantastic manual". User may have no idea where the manual is on the PC and on what page is the looked-for solution located. On the other hand, you may also have no time to manually cut particular pages with screenshots and related instructions from the manual and to attach them to each support message. The solution is easy. Put your manual on your web site in the form of HTML pages. Make all the pictures, screenshots with callouts, descriptions, and instructions accessible for every user. When you are processing another support request, simply insert an URL link to the appropriate page of your online manual and add just a few clarification words ? more words and pictures are already on that page. You will save much time and nerves because you will be sure that the user is looking at the same thing which you are describing. At the same time, the user will get a fast solution which is supported by clear pictures and neat instructions. Online Manual Makes Your Products Trustworthy Besides the users get the faster and more helpful support, they also see that you did this tedious job ? writing the handy and well structured manual with great screenshots and clear explanations. They know that this job is boring and developers don't like to do it. Therefore, if you did it and if you did it perfectly, it means that you respect your customers, not only their money. Good manual means that you consider your business and product seriously yourself. This helps your business to look more credible and serious. So, make your manual available online and prove your respect to your existing and prospective users. Make them trusting in you and in your product before they even download a demo copy of it. Online Manual Brings Sales As we see, the software manual which is a part of your web site generates a targeted traffic. The people may easily find your product because online help makes your web site more visible in relevant search results on the search engines. Those new visitors get more loyal when they see a well done help system. Also, if a prospect experiences difficulties with your software and asks for technical support, you may easily resolve the issue by referring the user to a certain page of your online help. With just a one click the user will see screenshots and explanations which will help them to settle the case. So, you have a motivated and targeted visitor, who feels loyal to your company and products, and whom you can easily help in case of a technical problem. The probability of such visitor ordering a license is several times higher than of the average one.
Windows x: Basic Windows ?Security? Issues
Language development computer: Computer-based method for aiding language development seems like an interesting idea, the trick with this would be in getting the computer to take on part of the role of the human in the checking process.
Screenshots Vista Windows
Features Additionally, Vista will include many other new features.
How to Get The Best Accounting Software For Your Small Business
Buying accounting software is a major investment. It's an important decision and you need to be sure of all the facts before you buy.
Can You Calculate Complex Financial Calculations?
Are you a whiz at calculating financial information? Not the easy personal stuff, like figuring out your monthly mortgage based on a fixed interest rate for x number of years, or how much money you have available each month after all your bills are paid. (You can probably use your fingers to figure that one out!)
Introduction To ISDN, Part II
In the previous ISDN article, we looked at how and why one router dials another using ISDN. Just as important is knowing what keeps the link up once it is dialed.
Microsoft Great Plains: Government & Non-Profit Organization ? Workflow Implementation
Usually workflow & messaging is realized in CRM and then transactions are just logged into Accounting/ERP/MRP. In the case of Microsoft Business Solutions products: Microsoft Great Plains, Navision, Solomon, Axapta the natural CRM choice would be Microsoft CRM. However typical CRM application targets Sales automation, which is usually not applicable to government structure, non-profit or public company (community services, public utilities, churches, charities, etc.). Not-for-profit organization needs purchasing and requisition workflow, payroll approval workflow, and in certain cases special General Ledger (GL) transactions workflow. Microsoft CRM doesn't provide the functionality. Then how could this be realized? We'll provide two scenarios to realize this customization:
Selecting Microsoft Great Plains Partner/VAR/Reseller: ERP Implementation & Customization ? Overview
In the case when you represent mid-size or mid-size-to-large business, it is not a surprise that you have to do ERP selection and switch to new technologies, doing your own research. If you a trying to stay with Microsoft technologies and try Microsoft Business Solutions products: Microsoft Great Plains, Microsoft Navision, Solomon, Axapta with integration to Microsoft CRM, you should know the history of Great Plains Software and Navision partners over the last 10 years.
New Web-Based HR Tool is Max From NAS, Hannibal, and InfoLink
Three highly respected names in Human Resources have joined forces to provide companies with a revolutionary blend of services that make the hiring process more efficient and effective. The partnership joins three companies: NAS Recruitment Communications, a recognized leader in the specialized field of human resource communications, Hannibal, Inc., a software development firm specializing in recruiting automation solutions, and InfoLink Screening Services, Inc., a nationwide leader in employment background screening, drug testing and physical exam services.
Microsoft Great Plains Payroll Module Customization Scenarios
It is now common thing when large corporation selects mid-market ERP or so-called standard functionality MRP solution as its corporate accounting system. Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is very good candidate. As all MBS ERPs it has MS SQL Server 2000/2005 database platform and allows you to deploy customizable and altered solution, serving large corporation HR department. If you use US / Canadian Payroll module as paycheck solution for internal employees ? you probably don't need custom logic. In this small article we'll show you the way of tailored integrated solution for nation-wide placement agency.
Ukraine: a Prospective Player on the World Software Outsourcing Market
The destruction of the Soviet Union about 15 years ago, made a huge country with a great level of IT science divided into small bricks. Nowadays, despite Russia's expansion into the world software development market, Ukraine keeps playing an important role here too. There are several prerequisites for this.
Corporate ERP: Standard vs. Rich functionality ? Microsoft Great Plains
Traditionally we were considering functionally rich systems, such as SAP, Oracle Financials, PeopleSoft, JDEdwards as the fit for large publicly traded corporation. There might be multiple opinions for the future corporate ERP/MRP systems. We would like to give you our prognosis: high-end systems will be losing market to generic granulated standard functionality systems. Customization will be in high demand ? but it will be appropriate to go for light of medium customization versus purchasing high-end functionality system. It is not a secret, that nowadays multiple companies from Fortune 500 list use midmarket solution, such as Microsoft Great Plains as their corporate ERP. In this small article we'll try to defend our position and give you highlights on deploying Microsoft Great Plains for large corporation.
Five Steps to Rapid Development with TierDeveloper 4.0
Follow the steps below to quickly design, generate, and deploy a great portion of your real-life N-Tier application.
Microsoft Update - 5 Reasons to Update Service Pack 2
Microsoft released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the Windows XP operating system back in August (2004), representing significant improvements in many areas, especially system security. For those people that are still unsure whether they should update to it, the following five reasons may help make the decision easier.
OLAP, An Alternative Technology Over Spreadsheets
Are Spreadsheets Robbing your Enterprise of Competitive Advantage?
Builders Beware
Which Type of Shop Can Rely On A Home Built System?
What To Do When Windows Wont Boot
When Windows fails to boot it is normally caused by you installing a program or device and it has caused a conflict with one or more other programs.
Spyware Statistics -- Whats New in May 2005?
Although statistics often is blamed for various deadly sins -- from being biased to being inaccurate -- there is nothing left to those who are anyhow connected with IT but to keep up with fresh data. Since spyware is literally ubiquitous, nobody who owns or uses a PC can say that it is none of his business. So general public also has to keep an eye on the news about spyware.
Microsoft CRM ? Consulting in the Post-Recession Time
New post-recession era has new features, which didn't exist in late 1990th during high-tech boom. This will be in our opinion on new directions for Microsoft Business Solutions products consulting, including Microsoft CRM. New features:

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